A "Parklet" on South Dean Street in Englewood, NJ

A "Parklet" on South Dean Street in Englewood, NJ

I propose a Parklet on South Dean Street in close to Patisserie Florentine.  This idea evolved from my vision for a more Bicycle and Pedestrian friendly NJ.

Question: What will the Parklet look like?

Answer: I have made a drawing to help envision it.  However I am flexible.

Question: What is your motivation?  Why do you want a Parklet in Englewood?  

Answer: Taking inspiration from NYC and Cambridge, MA...  I found that Parklets invite communities out to talk, shop, and enjoy.  It is similar to a mini boardwalk or street fair.  The way I see it...  until I move to Southern California...  NJ could use some friendlier spaces to gather. The allure of the Mall ended for me back in 8th grade.  I think I am not alone in saying that parks, bike lanes, and outdoor seating makes for a more inviting downtown.

Question: Is there a financial benefit to a business supporting a Parklet?

Answer: YES!  The evidence shows that Parklets increase business.  Streetfilms reported that the "owners of Mojo [Bicycle Cafe] say business is up 30% and they have had to hire more staff".  That interview is from a business owner in California reflecting on the increase in shoppers to their store after installing a Parklet.  The increase in shoppers from Parklets is consistent across the country.

Follow this link to my previous blog post with more evidence (and Videos!)
http://englewoodnjbikewalk.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-is-parklet.html

Question: Is there community support?

Answer: Yes. In July, I road up to "The Market" on 9W. There I met the publisher of Cyclists International. Jennifer Benepe. I talked with her about safer biking in Englewood. Jen was nice enough to write an article about my Parklet initiative. Here is part of an article written about the Parklet idea on her Bicyclist news source, Cyclists International.

New Voice in Englewood, NJ Seeks Safer Streets

by Jennifer Benepe • July 5, 2014 • 

Grosinger brought up the original idea about the “Parklet” to Tomer Zilkha, the owner of the French bakery, Patisserie Florentine. Zilkha started talking to Grosinger after he noticed that the cyclist had drawn a bicycle in his guest book.

“We decided to take a few short bike rides that turned into a weekly ride on Route 9W,” said Grosinger. “Since becoming friends I presented the Parklet idea to him with drawings, and he is really enthusiastic about putting one in front of his shop.”

Zilkha’s bakery happens to be across the street from Gavi Epstein’s new eBay bicycle store. “Gabby is an avid bicycle racer and is very supportive of participating in our first Englewood Parklet,” said Grosinger.

Question: When do you plan to have the Parklet?

Answer: As a test run, I propose having a one day Parklet (also know as "Park(ing) Day") either 9/13 or 9/19.  National Park(ing) Day is 9/19.

Question: How do I support your efforts to add a Parklet to Englewood, NJ?

Answer: If you send me an email of support I can print that out and show this at a town meeting.  Or, feel free to email the town directly.  Just CC me so I have a copy.  You can also talk to Tomer at his store and give him your support.

Question: How do I get updates on the Parklet progress?

Answer: If you join my Bicycle Lane Google + group, you will get email updates.  Here is the link:

https://plus.google.com/communities/115751143296759137923

Question: How do I get in touch with you?

Answer: Feel free to Call or email me:

917-379-8400
ron.grosinger@gmail.com

What is a "Parklet"?

Question: What is a Parklet?

Answer:  The quickest way to answer is to first show you a 1 minute video animation.



Question: Can you show me REAL examples?

Answer: Yes! San Fransico has the largest growing Parklet program in the country(30+), however, the closest city to install a Parklet that I know of is Boston, Massachusetts.  (NYC has converted entire streets to parks, so let me start with smaller examples) Below is part of a news article from Metro.us covering Boston's first Parklets:

Parklets: A new kind of public space in Boston

By Morgan RousseauPublished: September 12, 2013

Boston has opened its first two parklets, which swap parking spots for outdoor seating.

“These new parklets provide great outdoor seating options for local residents and customers of our small business,” said Mayor Thomas Menino. “I hope everyone will pay a visit to this newest addition of open space to the Mission Hill business district.”

According to city officials, the public spaces are designed to bring activity to neighborhood and commercial districts by offering people a place to sit, relax and meet for conversation.

Question: Can a Parklet increase local business?

Answer: I would say YES! and so do the business owners in front of the Parklets. Streetflims reported that the "owners of Mojo [Bicycle Cafe] say business is up 30% and they have had to hire more staff." Here is the short video...  Mojo's profile interview starts at 37 seconds into the video.



Question: I thought making more parking for cars increased business, how could a Parklet increase business?

Answer: I will let Boston Globe writer, PAUL MCMORROW explain...

Parklets a lively lure to downtowns

By Paul McMorrow

  | GLOBE COLUMNIST   APRIL 22, 2014

"Clusters of brick and mortar retailers can’t top the Internet [on convenience], so they need to change the game and give shoppers reasons to come downtown. This means rethinking public spaces that haven’t been touched in decades, like streets and lifeless sidewalks, and reprogramming them with parklets and food trucks. It means creating unique experiences on a pedestrian scale, because when pedestrians come downtown, they spend money."

Question: Who funds a Parklet Project?

Answer: Anyone interested in making it happen.  The town, a community group, or a local business.  Here is an example of a Bakery that successfully raised funds to build a Parklet:

Question: How does a city get started?  Can we do a test run for just one day?

Answer: YES...  Montclair, NJ put down some astroturf, seats, and a piano.  They then fed the meter and called it "Park(ing) Day".

Montclair Parking Spaces are for… Music and Dance?

BY Erika Bleiberg | FRIDAY, SEP 17, 2010

As soon as I turned the corner from Crescent St. onto S. Park, I could hear the sweet tinkling of a piano. Following my ears down the block towards Bloomfield Avenue, I came upon a scene that could become a familiar sight, if plans for the redevelopment of the street, which is currently in the works, were to include public performance space.

Question: Do you have a video of this event?  I would love to hear that piano.

Answer: Why yes I do!  :)



Question: Is this really something that can happen in Englewood?

Answer: With the town's support, I will propose a Parklet for September 2014.  (9/13 or 9/19)

Question: What street do you plan to do this?

Answer: South Dean Street in front of Patisserie Florentine.

Question: What do the local business think of this idea?

Answer: Tomer Zilkha, the owner of Patisserie is supportive of this idea.

Question: What will the Englewood Parklet look like?

Answer: I have artist renderings and plans on the next blog post.  Click here...

http://englewoodnjbikewalk.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-parklet-on-south-dean-street-in.html

Question: Will everyone like this idea?

Answer: No, but their comments are funny.  (Lets end this blog post with a little Parklet humor)



Thanks for reading and watching.

-Ron Grosinger, Englewood, NJ resident.